French Corral
was the first historic mining camp to appear along the San Juan Ridge. In
1849, a French settler built a corral for his mules here. Soon, the
discovery of rich placers gave cause for a town to be built. The site was
that of the Frenchman's corral.

French
Corral is located five miles off Hwy 49 via Pleasant Valley Road. This
road takes off Hwy 49 right before the town of North San Juan. Pleasant
Valley Road may also be accessed via Hwy 20 west of Grass Valley. This
route passes the gated community of Lake Wildwood and Bridgeport, home of
one of the longest single-span covered bridges in the country. This is
just 2 miles south of French Corral.

The
Well Fargo Building in French Corral is one of the most striking old buildings
in the California's old west. It was established in 1850 and is a one
story brick building with iron doors and shutters. This building, along
with the cemetery is all that remains of the historic aspect of French Corral.
Advancing to the next page will give you a look at the Wells Fargo Express
Building as it stands today.